Postgraduate Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy

Overview

*Please note as this is a part-time programme, we are not able to sponsor students for a Student visa.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy (PGCEP) constitutes your final year of training and leads to professional registration as an existential psychotherapist through the Society for Existential Analysis of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Human experience is too complex to be explained by theory. Existential psychotherapy embraces this complexity, employing a philosophical approach to exploring what it means to be human. This practice nurtures enquiry, openness and a fresh gaze upon the world and human beings.  

This course will take you on a transformative journey, challenging your understanding of human existence and changing the way you see yourself and relate to others.

Combining academic study of existential texts and experiential encounter exercises, you’ll develop a philosophical attitude and acquire a new vocabulary for contemplating human experience. You'll go beyond cognitive and rational understanding – instead focusing on an open and embodied way of making sense of experience. This prepares you to connect with others in their ambiguity and complexity and begin a relational process of deep exploration. 

You’ll engage in a range of activities designed to encourage you to question your own beliefs and values, be courageous, embody fearless free speech, balance openness with circumspection and be willing to explore moments of discomfort with others.

Through peer feedback and critical reflection, you'll develop a deeper understanding of self in relation to others as well as their relationship to issues including power, freedom, responsibility, boundaries, limitations and strengths. This critical awareness will enable you to develop into a well-informed and ethical practitioner who able to work in different settings with a wide variety of clients.

You'll graduate a qualified existential psychotherapist, holding a privileged position which requires humility and discernment. Our training will teach you how to uphold clinical standards of practice and work competently, humanely and ethically with the most vulnerable members of society. 

Clinical placements

Throughout your training, you’ll be expected to work with at least three adult clients on a minimum basis of once a week and be required to complete a minimum of 100 clinical hours. For UKCP or BACP accreditation, you're required to complete 450 clinical hours in total. The total you accrue will include the hours acquired during previous training.

You will also be expected to participate in weekly personal psychotherapy sessions with a UKCP-registered therapist.

Accreditation and next steps

This course meets the accreditation criteria of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Upon successful completion of this certificate, you’ll be eligible for professional registration with the UKCP through the Society for Existential Analysis.

At the end of the course, you may have enough training hours to apply for individual accreditation with the BACP. To apply, you must show evidence of 450 hours of supervised clinical practice. This can only be done by the individual and Regent’s is unable to play a role in this process.

Download course specification

How to apply

Applying to Regent's is quick and easy. We accept direct applications year-round and there's no application fee. If you haven't received your exam results, you can still apply and we'll issue you with a conditional offer. You just need be clear in your application which qualifications you're currently studying for.

Step 1: Apply

• On our website, details here

During the application process, you'll have the chance to upload supporting documents, including:

• A copy of your passport (photograph ID page)
• Academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies
• A 500-700 word personal statement (view guidance)
• If you're not a native English speaker, proof of your English proficiency

Credit transfer

If you’ve already studied part of your degree elsewhere, you may be able to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and join your new course at an advanced entry point. To apply for RPL, you'll need to state this clearly in your application and provide us with the certificates, transcripts and module descriptions for your previous course.

Step 2: Receive a response

You can expect to receive a decision on your application within 10 working days. We'll assess whether you meet our entry requirements and will notify you of our decision via email. UCAS applicants will also receive official notification via the UCAS system.

For some of our courses, the selection process may include an interview or audition. They can take the form of a one-to-one interview, a group interview or a portfolio review, which may be conducted by telephone or online. Arrangements of these are made between you and the Admissions department.

Step 3: Accept your offer

If you wish to accept your offer, you must pay your (non-refundable) advance tuition fee deposit. This will confirm your place. Here's how.

Step 4: Register 

Closer to the start of term, our Admissions team will send instructions regarding your registration process. This will include information on completing your online enrolment before you arrive, as well as a checklist of documents you'll need to bring with you to campus.

Information for international students

If you're an overseas student, you'll likely require a visa to study in the UK. Here's how to apply

Scholarships and funding

Fees

Tuition fee: 

• £10,200 for the academic year starting in September 2023.
• £13,000 for the academic year starting in September 2024.

Non-refundable advance deposit:

UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000

Read more about tuition fees.

When you accept your offer, you'll pay a non-refundable advance deposit. The remaining portion of your first year’s tuition fees will be due when you enrol. At this time, you’ll receive your invoice for the full year. You can choose to pay for the year in full before the start of your first academic year or in three instalments, spread out across the academic year. The dates of these instalments will be determined by when your course starts.

What do fees include?

Fees cover the cost of all tuition and access to the University’s IT infrastructure and library learning resources. Fees are presented for the first level of study which equates to two terms.  

What other costs should I budget for?

You will need to budget additional funds for accommodation and living expenses, travel, and any additional trips, visits, activities or courses that you choose to participate in outside of the tuition offered as part of your course.

The library holds a limited number of copies of core textbooks and where possible in e-format. You will be encouraged to purchase your own textbooks and will need to budget approximately £80-£100 per year, depending on your course.

How you'll learn

At Regent's you’ll have the freedom to explore your interests in a supportive and nurturing environment with interactive classes, regular one-to-one contact with tutors, specialist facilities, industry opportunities and tailored careers advice – ensuring you develop the skills, experience and confidence you need to succeed.

We centre our teaching around your individual goals, identifying the support you need to thrive. You’ll be part of a collaborative environment, that brings all the nuances of psychotherapy to life in the classroom as you learn the most current approaches and gain the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to pursue a career in this life-changing field. 

Rather than promote a single approach, we teach a range of perspectives (covering existential, psychoanalytic, humanistic and integrative) via debates, simulations and placements – preparing you to make informed choices in your practice and meet the professional challenges of this rapidly-evolving field.

You’ll pair deep industry knowledge with hands-on experiences, taking part in a blend of learning formats to give your studies context: 

• Seminars, lectures, tutorials 
• Practical simulations and debates 
• Professional clinical practice 
• Training supervision 
• Guest lectures and masterclasses 
• Peer group participation 
• Industry placements 
• Independent individual therapy 

Contact hours: teaching will run on one regular day each week. You’ll also be expected to work with at least three adult clients, two of which must be long-term, on a minimum basis of once a week throughout your training –completing a minimum of 100 clinical hours.

Academic requirements

We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and review each application comprehensively on its own merit.

Minimum entry requirements for Level 7 – you'll need:

• Completion of the MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling taught Existential pathway, or equivalent*
• A minimum of 200 client-contact hours in a formal clinical placement
• A minimum of three years (120 sessions) regular individual psychotherapy
• To attend an interview

*Applicants who have completed the MA Psychotherapy and Counselling with us during the previous academic year, are exempted from providing us with a personal statement and attending an interview.

English language requirements 

Minimum English proficiency requirement through one of the following qualifications (or equivalent):

Please note, we do not accept home/online editions of English language tests.

*Qualification satisfies the English language requirements of the UKVI for non-UK/Irish nationals.

We also offer conditional students a free, online diagnostic test known as the Regent’s English Proficiency Test (REPT). This must be booked in advance. Discover more.

Careers

You’ll graduate a qualified existential psychotherapist, holding a privileged position which requires humility and discernment. Our training will teach you how to uphold clinical standards of practice and work competently, humanely and ethically with the most vulnerable members of society. 

Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible for professional registration with the Society for Existential Analysis of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

UKCP membership

The Society for Existential Analysis is an accrediting organisation within the Constructivist and Existential College of UKCP. It registers Regent's University London Psychotherapy and Counselling graduates as UKCP-registered existential psychotherapists.

BACP accreditation

At the end of the course, you may have accrued enough training hours to apply for individual accreditation with the BACP. Please note that BACP also requires candidates to show evidence of 450 hours of supervised clinical practice. Application to BACP can only be done by the individual and the programme is unable to play a role in this process.

Graduate visa

After you've completed your course, you may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa. This enables you to work, or look for work, in the UK for up to two years after you leave Regent's, without the pressure of having to secure a job immediately – applying your skills and advancing your career with valuable experiences and industry connections.

Careers support

Don't worry if you feel overwhelmed – our Careers, Enterprise and Industry team are here to provide personalised advice and access to resources for life!

• 24/7 access to online guidance and resources
• Exclusive internships, networking opportunities and industry events
• Personalised consultations – from interview and CV prep to business advice
• Access to Handshake, connecting you with 650k+ global employers

Influential alumni

• Dr Mick Cooper – globally recognised author, trainer and consultant in the fields of humanistic, existential and pluralistic therapies.